Window-envelop punch.



C. L. NASH.

WINDOW ENVELOP PUNCH.

APPLICATION FILED APR.6, 1912.

L1%7,91% Patented Feb.9, 1915.

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Specification of LettersPatent.

Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

Application filed April 6, 1912. Serial No. 688,839.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CARROL L. NASH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Big Sitone Gap, in .the county of Wise and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in VVindow-Envelop Punches, of which the following is a speci fication.

This invention relates to a punch for perforating thin sheet material, but it is more ;)a.rti ci ilarly described as a window envelop punch for perforating the face or front of an envelop, so that the name and address of a person appearing upon an inclosure may be exposed through the opening.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a device of this class which is simple and durable and efficient in operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide means to accommodate the device to envelops of different sizes and shapes, and to adjust and vary the position of the perforation in envelops of the same size.

F or the attainment of these ends and the accomplishmentof other new anduseful objects, as will appear, the invention consists in the features of novelty in the construction, combination and arrangement of the several parts generally shown in the accom panying drawing and described in the specification, but more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side eleva tion of a punch of this class constructed in accordance with and embodying the principal features of my invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same showing an'envelop in position in dotted outline; Fig. 3 is a de tail sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2, showing the preferred construction of the cutter and the lower block. Fig. 4 is a detail view showing the side by means of which the adjusting apparatus is adjusted and positioned.

The use of the so-called window envelops obviates the necessity of addressing the on velops, thereby saving time in preparing the mail for its transmission. The present invention presents a device of this class which may be used for perforating envelops of any desired size or shape, and also for varying the position of the perforation or window in the face of envelops of the same size.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, this. device comprises relatively fixed and movable beams 10 and 11 respectively. In the preferred construction as exemplified in the drawing, the beam 10 is provided with a base portion 12 which may be secured in any desired manner, as by means of the screws 13, to a fixed support. Extending upwardly from the beam are the bearing mounts l l in which the movable beam 11 is pivoted by means of the pin 15, which extends through the bearing mounts 14. A spring 16 of any desired form or shape is positioned between the beam 11 and some portion of the fixed beam, and is operative to press the pivoted beam 11 upwardly and away from the fixed beam 10, so that it is normally in a raised position. The outer end of the fixed beam 10 is formed with the enlarged portion 17, which is preferably hollowed out (see Fig. 3) and forms a re ceptacle for the yielding material 18.

The pivoted beam 11 is formed at its outer end with an enlarged portion or frame 19, which is preferably formed with a perforation and the perforated portion is provided at its upper edge with an inwardly extend ing flange 20. Supported by the enlarged portion 19 and secured in the perforation thereof is a cutter 21. This cutter is preferably composed of strip material bent in the form of the window or perforation which it is desired to make in the face of the envelop or of the material to be perforated. In cross section the cutter is substantially straight on the inside and tapers toward the cutting edge on the outside with a straight portion adjacent to the other edge, so that the cutter may be positioned in the frame portion 19 with the upper edge bearing against the flange 20. The flange 20 being substantially the width of the edge of the cutter, it will be evident that the cut out portions of the ma terial to be cut will pass upwardly through the cutter and through the perforation in the frame 19. Although this cutter 21 may be of the construction just described, it is also obvious that it may be formed integrally with. the beam 11 or may be secured to the beam in any other desired or suitable way. In the present exemplification of the inven tion the cutter is pressed into position and held by frictional contact.

In the preferred construction as exemplh fied by the drawing, the enlarged portion 17 of the fixed beam 10 is larger than the cutter 21, so that the edge of the cutter when the pivoted beam 11 is moved downwardly, is brought into engagement with the yielding sizes.

material 18. This yielding material 18 is of any desired or suitable composition, such, for example, as wood-or soft material as lead, and when the cutter 21 is pressed downwardly a cut 22 is formed in the material which assists in perforating the ma terial inasmuch as the knife presses the ma terial to be cut downwardly against the edge of this material 18.

T o perforate the face of an envelop the enlarged portion 17 of the fixed beam 10 is inserted within the envelop, with the face of the envelop disposed upwardly, and for this reason it is desirable that the extending por tion of the beam 10, which includes the enlarged portion, 17, be as thin as possible. The beams, therefore, are preferably made of metal, and the yielding material 18 may therefore be of softer metal, or of wood, as previously stated. r I In order to position an envelop properly upon the fixed beam 10, it is necessary to provide a guide by means of which envelops of the same size may be perforated similarly or with the perforations in different positions, as well as for envelops of different For this purpose a double grooved.

' flange rail 23 is formed integral with the fixed beam 10 or secured thereto in any suitable manner, upon which members 24: and 25 are placed. These members are provided with adjusting and fastening screws 26 by means of which they may be secured to the rail. Pivotally connected to one of the members, as 24, is a guiding strip 27, which extends above'the upper face of the beam 10 so that an envelop placed upon the beam will contact with the guiding strip. This strip 27 is formed with folded over portions 28, which form a guide for a second guiding strip'29 slidable through the portions 28: or strip 27 may have only the one folded over portion 28 on its outer end containing binding screw 26, in which event the other portion 28 may fold over from the inner end of strip 29 and slide on strip 27. The outermost folded over portion 28 is provided with an adjustable binding screw 26, and is formed with an eye 80. The other member 25 is provided with an eye 31 and extending between the eyes 30 and 31 is a bar or rigid member 32, by means of which the guiding strips are held in position. These guiding strips are formed with any desired or suitable material, the outer end of the second strip 29, however, being of flexible material which may be bent in any desired shape, and which when so bent will retain its shape: or this outer end, instead of being bent, may work pivotally on a hinge with binding screw. It is evident that by varying the position of the members 24 1\nd. 25 that the guiding strips may be varied in distance from the outer end of the fixed beamlO and in inclination thereto so that any desired size of envelops may be accommodated or envelops with any desired shape of flaps. It is also evident that the position of the perforation in envelops of the same size may be varied by varying the distance of the guiding bars from the end of the fixed beam 10.

While I have shown the guiding and adjusting attachment as applied to one side only of the fixed beam, it is evident that a similar attachment may be positioned in the other side of the beam cooperating therewith. It is also evident that the base portion 12 may be formed integrally with the fixed beam 10, or may be secured thereto in any desired or suitable manner. It will be noticed, however, that the free end of the fixed beam 10 extends above the surface to which the base portion is attached, so that an envelop may readily be positioned over the free end of the beam without engaging the lower edge of the envelop.

Although this device is particularly described as employed for the purpose of perforating the face of an envelop, it is obvious that it may also be used for perforating sheet material of any kind and the adjusting or guiding strips may be employed for their proper function.

To operate the device it is necessary only 9 to place the sheet or envelop to be perforated in position over the fixed beam 10 and to bring the cutting edge sharply against the material 18 by rotating the pivoted beam 11. After the article has been perforated the pivoted beam 11 will assume its raised position by reason of the spring 16 which tends to press it upwardly.

lVhile I have thus described the preferred construction and operation of this device, it is evident that others skilled in the arts to which this appertains may make various changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

lVhat I claim is 1. A device for perforating the faces of envelops, comprising a support adapted to be inserted within and for positioning the envelop to be perforated, a pivoted beam, and an oblong rounded cutter carried by the beam and adapted. by the movement of the beam to be brought into engagement with the envelop and the support whereby an opening is made in the face only of the envelop.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with a fixed beam adapted to be inserted within and for positioning an envelop, of a pivotedbeam, and a cutter carried by said beam, and of a form to cut an oblong opening in the envelop when the cutter is moved against the beam with the envelop in position thereon.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination with a fixed beam adapted to be 1,127,914 Ital;

inserted within and for positioning an envelop, of another beam pivoted to the fixed beam, and a cutter oblong in shape with a central opening, the said cutter being secured to the pivoted beam and the opening through the cutter being adapted to permit the cut out portion of the envelop to be discharged.

l. In a device of the class described, the combination with a fixed beam, having an end portion larger in size than the opening to be cut and adapted to be inserted within and for positioning an envelop, of a pivoted beam and a cutter or knife carried thereby having the shape and size of the opening to be out in the face of the envelop.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination with a fixed beam, of a pivoted beam, a cutter carried by the pivoted beam, the fixed beam being larger than the edge of the cutter and relatively thin to be inserted within an envelop for properly positioning it, and a substance softer than the cutter carried by the fixed beam, against which the cutter is pressed to perforate one face of an envelop.

In a device of the class described, the combination with a fixed beam adapted to be inserted within the envelop, of a pivoted beam, and a cutter carried by the latter, the beams being disposed so that the cutter contacts with the fixed beam when the pivoted beam is moved, and a spring between the beams to normally press the pivoted beam away from the fixed beam.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination with a base portion, of a com paratively thin beam fixed thereto and extending clear thereof, a second beam pivotally mounted with respect to the base, a cutter carried thereby, the said fixed beam being of a thickness adapted to permit an envelop to be placed over it, and a spring below the pivoted beam to press the pivoted beam away from the fixed beam.

8. in a device for perforating an envelop face, the combination with a fixed beam to enter the envelop, of a pivoted beam and cutter, and means adjustable at different angles to the fixed beam for envelops of various shaped fiaps.

9. In a device for perforating an envelop face, the combination with relatively fixed Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents the side thereof and adjustably secured.

thereto whereby they may be varied in longitudinal position with respect to the beam.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination with relatively fixed and movable beams, one of the beams being provided with a cutter, of an envelop adjusting device carried by the fixed beam and comprising means to engage the envelop flap for positioning envelope of different sizes and shapes and for varying the position of the opening to be cut in envelops of the same size.

11. In a device of the class described, the combination with relatively fixed and movable beams, one of the beams being provided with a cutter, of an adjusting device comprising a rail secured to the fixed beam, members movable thereon and provided with adjusting screws, a guiding strip pivotally mounted at one end to one of the said members and with portions forming a guide for a second guiding strip, the second guiding strip being flexible at the outer end and adapted thereby to retain any desired bend or shape, one of said portions being provided with a clamping screw and an eye, the other movable member being also provided with an eye, and a bar connected at the ends in said eyes whereby the guiding strips may be positioned at any angle by varying the positions of said members.

12. In a device for perforating the face of an envelop, the combination with relatively fixed and movable beams, one of the beams being comparatively thin and adapted to enter an envelop for supporting it, and means in connection with the fixed beam to engage the envelop and prevent the insertion of the fixed beam within the envelop beyond a predetermined amount.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, on this 2nd day of April A. D. 1912.

CARROLL L. NASH.

Witnesses E. HALLENBECK, P. D. YARBoRoUeH.

each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, I). G. 

